Trainer Robbie Laing praises promising colt Lord Of The Sky

His trainer Robbie Laing and rider Dwayne Dunn had their queries but highly promising colt Lord Of The Sky justified his favouritism, winning the group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100 metres) with ease at his first attempt at weight-for-age.

"I thought with 58 on the slow 7 heavy 8 track, 1100 (metres), gee I saw him fail at 1100 in his first start and we've kept him away from 1100 but he was dominant today," Laing said.

Lord Of The Sky, Dwayne Dunn up, wins the Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images

"On the corner I thought he's either going to find or get run over but I must apologise to the horse, I doubt him all the time but it was very good.''

As expected from his inside gate, Lord Of The Sky had no trouble taking up the lead and from that point the race was as good as over.

When asked to quicken by Dunn at the top of the straight, Lord Of The Sky ($2.70 fav) quickly put a space on his rivals and drew away to score a soft win by four and a half lengths from Le Bonsir ($5.50) which tried hard, with Riziz a further three quarter of lengths away in third placing.

Dunn admitted that he had also questioned the form of Lord Of The Sky coming into the race but was impressed with the win and said there was improvement to come.

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"It's always a big ask when you go up a grade and horses are up on top of you but today he stamped his authority that he's the real deal,'' Dunn said.

The win was Lord Of The Sky's fifth from eight starts and Laing admitted that he had taken note of how Peter Moody handled the career of Black Caviar.

"You are never too old to learn at this caper and the way Peter Moody ran the career of that good mare was just exceptional and that just showed that if you pick four or five target races a year with them, they can win a hell of a lot of money and help their longevity."

However Laing said he plans to back up Lord Of The Sky in Saturday week's Bletchingly Stakes (1200 metres) at Caulfield and if he wins that then the son of Danerich could be aimed at the group 1 Memsie Stakes over 1400 metres at Caulfield on August 30.

Lloyd Kennewell is looking to secure some black type for Thiamandi after the speedy filly scored a convincing win in the Cove Hotel Handicap (1100 metres).

Better known as a leader, Thiamandi ($9) was able to take a sit just behind pacemaker Maroon Bay and once asked for her effort by Joe Bowditch, raced away to win by two lengths from Jemerica ($16) which closed well from back in the field.

"Usually she's the one that gets away (in front) and not many go with her so it was good to see her do that," Kennewell said.

The win took Thiamandi's earnings to more than $200,000, a great return on her $9000 yearling price and she will now be aimed at the listed Lightning Stakes (1050 metres) in Adelaide in three weeks before a break.

Much travelled jockey Noel Callow was seen at his best when guiding the David Brideoake and David Feek trained Self Sense to victory in the Theshark.com.au Hcp (2000 metres).

Self Sense which had to carry 60 kilograms looked to be struggling on the turn but Callow switched his whip to his left hand and got a quick response from the three-year-old, going on to win nicely.

"He's an exceptionally good jockey. He's a legend," said Brideoake of Callow.

The win continued a great season for the Brideoake-Feek stable which has had 29 winners, with eight of those in Melbourne.